Anthony Hopkins on TV: How His Star Power Went Beyond the Big Screen

Anthony Hopkins is well known for his many roles on the silver screen, but the star has had significant success in TV roles as well. In fact his first film, "A Flea in Her Ear" (1967), was adapted for television from a stage play.

By 1970 Hopkins' efforts were recognized by the British Academy of Film and Television Arts as he received three BAFTA TV Award nominations for his portrayals of Charles Dickens in "The Great Inimitable Mr. Dickens," Danton in "Danton," and Bob in "Hearts and Flowers." In 1972 Anthony Hopkins appeared in the TV miniseries "War and Peace," which won him the Best Actor BAFTA TV Award.

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Just a few years later, Hopkins captured attention across the pond with his role in the TV movie, "The Lindbergh Kidnapping Case" (1976), for which he won his first Emmy as lead actor.

Throughout the 1980s Anthony Hopkins brought his star power to the TV screen in numerous works, portraying characters ranging from Adolf Hitler in "The Bunker" to Quasimodo in "The Hunchback of Notre Dame" to Abel Magwitch in "Great Expectations." The star's role as Hitler earned him an Emmy, while the other two roles received Emmy nominations.

During the 1990s and beyond, Anthony Hopkins garnered more attention with his big screen films than his TV roles. He did, however, continue to maintain a presence on television through various appearances on talk shows such as "Live! With Kelly and Michael," "The Rosie O'Donnell Show," and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show." Hopkins also appeared numerous times on late night shows including "Late Night with Conan O'Brien," "The Tonight Show with Jay Leno," and the "Late Show With David Letterman."

In addition to special appearances on talk shows, Anthony Hopkins brought his star power to TV audiences by serving as a presenter on "The Academy Awards Show" six times as well as simply being himself on "The Academy Awards Show" and "The People's Choice Awards Show" multiple times.

Anthony Hopkins also used his talents in television commercials, most notably a spot in 2000 for Barclays Bank.

In 2015, Hopkins is starring in a BBC-Starz miniseries, "The Dresser," with Ian McKellan and upcoming HBO's "Westworld" series.

Through TV performances in films and shows, special appearances on various talk shows and awards shows, along with television commercials, Anthony Hopkins has proven his star power extends well beyond the silver screen.

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